PUBLIC INPUT IS SOUGHT ON SAN ONOFRE COSTS

State regulators will soon hold a public hearing about the idled San Onofre nuclear plant and whether utility customers should continue to pay all its costs.

On Wednesday, the California Public Utilities Commission scheduled two back-to-back hearings Feb. 21 in Costa Mesa, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Utilities Commissioner Mike Florio and Administrative Law Judge Melanie Darling ordered the hearing as they oversee an investigation into the outage and costs associated with a plant in northern San Diego County that has not produced power since Jan. 31.

The twin seaside reactors at San Onofre were shut down because of damage to steam generator tubing that serves as a crucial barrier to radiation. Operator Southern California Edison has asked federal safety regulators for permission to restart one reactor at partial power for five months, while the company looks for a long-term solution to what ails generators that were replaced in 2010 and 2011.

Federal regulators, meanwhile, have pressed Edison for more analysis on its damaged steam generators, as the government considers its restart request.

The CPUC hearing venue — the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center — holds 400 people in its largest room, according to a city brochure. Representatives of local governments will have the first opportunity to speak.

The utilities commission at the same time announced that it would allow several interested parties to file arguments and supporting documents in the San Onofre proceedings. The “intervenors” can seek compensation for their work from utility customers. They are: